Charles Barkley announces final season alongside Ernie Johnson on ‘Inside the NBA’
· Yahoo Sports
The most iconic pregame show in all of sports will enter a new era after the 2026-2027 NBA season. Inside the NBA has been the premier pregame show in basketball and sports media in general for 37 years.
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The show has gone through many eras, but is defined by the team of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley. However, that group may look completely different after next NBA season.
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Charles Barkley appeared on the latest episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” which was released on Wednesday. In the episode, Barkley talks all things basketball, the Knicks, the LeBron-to-Philadelphia move, and plenty more.
The biggest piece of news was about himself, though. Barkley explained his process as he headed into the show’s new era on ESPN. Before the ESPN announcement, Barkley had claimed he would retire.
Barkley’s relationship with Ernie Johnson is what’s kept him going, and heading to ESPN, Johnson asked a favor of Barkley. Johnson, in an effort to help the crew of “Inside the NBA” keep their jobs, asked Barkley to stay for two more years.
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Barkley’s quote was, “Ernie, I’ll stay for two more years.” Explaining the conversation even further, Barkley added that Johnson was “planning on retiring in two years.”
The duo and half of the panel are a package deal; with that said, Barkley stamped his stance on retirement, saying, “If Ernie retires after next year, I’m done.”
This means that Barkley and Johnson very well could be entering their final season on “Inside the NBA.” This would mark the end of an iconic era in basketball.
The success and future of ‘Inside the NBA’
February 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Shaq’s OGs general manager Shaquille O’Neal and Chuck’s Global Stars general manager Charles Barkley and broadcaster Ernie Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)In 37 years on the air, “Inside the NBA” has won 21 Emmy Awards and the Curt Gowdy Media Award, which is presented on behalf of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The show is unlike anything else on TV. It’s the perfect mixture of excellent intel and hilarious banter that makes fans realize how these superhuman figures like O’Neal or Barkley are just like everyone else.
The relationship and bond among the four legends pop off the screen. The other best part is that their intel is the bluntest on television. There’s no sugarcoating; Barkley or O’Neal will tear into a player if they’re not doing their job.
It’s hard to imagine what O’Neal and Kenny Smith’s careers will look like once Barkley and Johnson are gone. Both will remain on TV, but the only question is which network and with whom.
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